Laundry machine



IMay 10, 1938. J. B. KIRBY l 2,115,759

LAUNDRY MACHI N E Filed Dec. 11, 1935 sheets-sheet 1 5' INVENTOR .5 James B.Ki,rb.y

#-7 iis ATTORQz May 10, 1938. v J. B. KIRBY 2,116,759

` LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed De. 11, 1955 s sheets-sheet 2 lll .May l0, 1938. J. BZKIRBY A Y 2,116,759

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed Dec. ll, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 -55 i JamLSB.Ki/rb F1715 A .Y

rPatented May 10, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY Maenner;

corporation of Ohio, as trustee Application December 11, 193s, Serin No. 101,3534

16 Claims.

This invention relates to laundry machines and in particular to `combined washing and extracting machines.

One of the objects of this invention is the .provision of an improved supporting frame for a machine of the class described which may be fabricated from a. number of easily formed inexpensive sheet metal parts, shaped so that they Amay be readily joined to each other to form a lightweight, rigid and relatively strong supporting structure for the machine.

Another object of this invention relates to the provision of certain improvements in the casing I details of a machine of the type disclosed which improvements contemplate the use of a plurality of separately fabricated casing elements which may be readily joined together in assembled relation to provide a relatively inexpensive form of casingvof enhanced appearance.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved and relatively inexpensive driving mechanism for a combined washing and extracting machine, which mechanism can be readily manufactured and assembled by a relatively unskilled class of labor, and which mechanism operates in a quiet and efcient manner.

Another object of this invention relatesto the provision of an improved and simplified control system for the operating elements of a combined washing and extracting machine inl which the control elements are groupedtogether and are arranged so that they may be correctly manipulated With a minimum of physical and mental effort on the part of the operator. Another object of this invention relates to the provision of an improved and generally simplified inexpensive form of flexible mounting for the basket of a centrifugal extractor.

Another object relates tothe provision of an improved form of clothes washing agitator with perforate blades which insure rubbing contact between such blades and the articles being washed.

A further object of this invention relates to certain improvements in methodsV of washing which include in addition to the agitation of the detergent fluid a positive, yet gentle scrubbing action on the materials being washed and a substantial relative movement of 'the detergent fluid with respect to the articlesf being washed both through and across 4the surfaces of the fabric of such articles.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, ar-

rangement and combination of pali-ts, hereinafter illustrated and described in some of its embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of my improved laundry 5 machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, in section, showing the details of the casing top plate secure- 10 ment means.

Figure' 4 is `an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 4, Figure 2, showing some of the details oi' the agitator driving mechanism.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 15 line 5 5, Figure 2, showing some of the details vof the extractor driving mechanism with the extractor clutch parts intheir engaged position.

Figure 6 is a detail view of the extractor clutch mechanism shown in Figure 5, with the clutch 20 parts in their disengaged position.

Figure '7 is a side elevational view partly in section, corresponding to Figure 6 with the parts thereof rotated ninety degrees.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of the agi- 25 tator taken on line 8 8, Figure 1.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a horizontal plane between the washer and extractor tubs, showing some of the details of the casing construction.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line iB II), Figure 2 showing certain details of the washer driving mechanism.

Figure 11 is a plan view taken on plane l l-I l, Figure 10 showing some of the details of the 35 clutch of the washer driving mechanism.

Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view showing some of the details of the pump and its control valve.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line 40 Il IS, Figure `12.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a modied form of casing structure.

Figure 15 is. a sectional view taken on line I5-I5, Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of reduced size, ofthe machine shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The form of the combined washing and extracting machine shown in Figures 1, 2, and 16, comprises a casing structure which includes a 50 washer tub l and an extractor tub 2 which are supported side by side on a supporting base member l. This member has a depending skirt portion l with an inturned lower edge 5 which` in effect constitutes a continuation of the lupper 56 part of the casing. The base and skirt portions are fabricated independently from sheet metal and then joined to each other so as tcform a substantially integral base unit for the machine which is built-up from two or more pre-formed elements. For convenience, the base parts 3 and d may be welded to each other along their line of contact and while it is preferred to effect the union of such parts by means of spot welds at the upper edgeof the skirt, it is of course understood that the joining oi' theseA parts to each other can be eilected in other ways just as well as in the manner proposed herewith.

The base member 3 has an up-turned outer edge part 6, an aperture beneath the center of the tub I, and a raised portion 3 beneath the central part of the extractor tub 2. Beneath the upstanding portion 3 of the base, there is located a frusto-conlcal or dished member IUI which is welded or otherwise secured to the member 3 of the base. Beneath the aperture of the base located below the tub I, a frusto-conical sheet-metal piece 1 is secured by means of a number of circumferentially spaced hollow sleeves lI each having a reduced end I2 which is turned over and thus serves to rivet the part 1 to the base member 3. f

The base is provided with three supporting legs I3 which are flxedly secured at their upper ends to the part 3 of the base, and at a point intermediate their length they are secured to an` inturned portion I4 provided in the lower part of the skirt 4 of the base at places adjacent to each of the legs I3. Suitable casters l5 are provided at the lowermost extremities of the legs to facilitate the moving of the machine about from place to place. The lower edge portions of the washer and extractor tubs are of reduced cross-sectional diameter so as to provide shoulders I6 and I1 respectively which are utilized in eecting the support and securement of the stated tubs.`

The shoulder I6 of one side of the washer tub rests upon a yielding gasket I8 carried by the inturned edge 2U of the skirt4 and in a similar manner this gasket engages the shoulder I1 of a portion of the extractor tub. The washer tub is centrally secured by means of bolts 22 to the supporting base of the machine. Suitable leakproof washers 23 are provided beneath the heads of the bolts 22 and beneath the tub at these points to prevent the escape of water from around the bolts. The washers at the underside of the tub rest upon the sleeves II.

The washers 23 and the gasket I8 provide a relativelyilexible mounting for the tub I. By loeating the bolts in the manner shown they are concealed beneath the agitator of the machine and thus the visible portion of the interior" of the washer tub is free of exposed bolts or other walls of the two tubs and it is inturned from such side walls at its upper end and deiines the top working openings of the two tubs upon which it is supported.

'I'he top edges of the tubs I and 2 are inwardly oilset at 25 and '26 to provide a. seat for the gaskets 21 and 28. These gaskets are provided for effecting sealing engagement between the outwardly oifset lower edge of the annular collar 30 andthe wall part 3l and.` a' portion of the rim of the -top plate with the top edges of the aforesaid tubs I and 2 respectively. Suitable screws 29 spaced about the working opening of the tub I, are provided for ysecuring the top yplate 24 to the collar`30 and for drawing the upturned flanges 33 at its outer edges and ad' jacent to one of such flanges a hole 34, located over the washer tub, is provided for the reception of the gooseneck nozzle 35 Aof a drain hose 36.

A combined cover and drainboard 31 is pivotally secured at 38 to one end of the top plate 24. In its closed position the cover 31 overlies the Working opening of the extractor tub and in its open position it provides a clothes chute and drainboard for transferring articles from the extractor tub to a rinsing tub (not shown) or vice versa as the case may be.

Within the washer tub I there is provided an agitator 40, oscillatable about a Vertical axis and having a base portion 4I and liquid agitating blades 42. Suitable mechanism, which will be described in detail presently, is provided for the`oscillation of this agitator. The blades 42 of the agitator are of a perforate construction and they are formed from a series of parallel vertical rods t3, as best shown in Figure 7, which are joined to each other by means of small cross members 44. The vanes of the agitator have a grid-like appearance with pronounced corrugations by means of which the clothes are washed with a scrubbing-board action.

During the operation of the agitator, the clothes in front of the advancing side of the agitator blades are drawn against them by reason of their perforate construction whereby the detergent liquid is forced through the fabric of the articles being washed to a greater or less extent and at the same time that this is taking place, the clothes are gently scrubbed by contacting with the rods 43 as they move over the face of the agitator in response to the forces set up by the movement of the agitator during its operation. f

By reason of the large number of perforations provided'in the agitator blades there is a substantial tendency for the forcing of water throughA the fabric of the clothes and .the clothes in contact with the advancing faces of the blades, actually form the water impelling faces of the blades and thus there is effected a greater relative movement between the articles being washed and the washing iiuid than is possible where a generally imperforate form of blade is used, as in the latter case the clothes generallyrmove about in accordance with the movement ofthe washing fluid and they do not have as much relative movement with respect to the washing iluid as is possible with the form of agitator proposed herewith. y

I It should be noted in this connection that the beneiicial results just pointed out will not result from the use of all forms of perforated agitator blades unless such blades are sumciently Aperforated so that the clothes Will have a strong tendency to adhere to the advancing part of the blade which results in amovement of the washing fluid both through the fabric of the articles being Washed and laterally across the surfaces of such articles.

Within the extractor tub there is rotatably mounted a barrel-shaped perforated extractor basket 45 having a smoothly finished upstanding central conical portion 46 at the underside of which there is formed a prismatic socket 41 for the reception of the prismatic end 48 of the extractor basket driving shaft 50. The working opening 5| of the extractor basket is of the same or slightly smaller size than the working opening 49 of the top plate 24 which registers with the top opening of the extractor basket.

The marginal edges of the intermediate por` tion of the top plate 24 extend in a straight line tangentially to the side walls of the washer and extractor tubs and the open space or recess between the adjacent portions of the tubs is closed offby means of a pair of plates or panels 52 as is best shown in Figures 1, 9, and 16.

The panels '52 have inturned side edges 53 and inturned upper and lower edges 54, the latter of which is in contact with the gasket |8 which runs around the entire length of the upper rim or edge 20 of the base member 4. The upper edges of the panels contact with gaskets 29 which l are in contact with the lower edge of the straight line portion of the top plate.

The power for driving the washer and extractor is supplied by means of an electric motor 55 which is adjustably and pivotally supported on a vertical axis beneath the machine with its armature shaft also arranged for rotation on a vertical axis. The shaft of the -motor 55 is provided with a belt pulley 56 by means of which it drives a single belt 51 which engages with pulleys 58, B0 and 6|. 'I'he pulley58 is connected to the shaft of a pump. 'I'he pulley 60 forms a part of the extractor driving mechanism and the pulley 6| forms a partof the washer mechanism l which lubricant may be provided for the operat- `ing parts of the mechanism. 'I'he washer mechanism driving pulley 6| is provided with a bearing 63 at the center thereof. This pulley is journaled on a pinion shaft 61. The web of the pulley 6| is provided on one side intermediate its 'center and edge with a friction face 64 whichY plate 65 having a central upper raised sleeve-part' 66 which is slidably splined to the shaft 61. A spring 68, held in place by means of a plate 10 carried by the shaft 61, is provided to urge clutch parts into driving engagement with each other. The plate 10 s secured to the shaft 61 by any suitable means such as the screw 69.

The release of the clutch is` effected by means ofpa rotatable and vertically movable device having amis 1| with inturned ends which engage with a collar 12 carried by the clutch part 65. The arms 1| are joined at their upper. ends to `an internally threaded boss 13, carried on a threaded stub shaft 14, rigid with a plate 15 which is xedly secured to the base member 3 of the machine.

From a consideration ofthe elements shown in -Figures 10 and 11 it will be observed that when the clutch parts are rotated clockwise the 'clutch Y part 65 will be moved upwardly to its disengaged position and when the clutch arms 1| are rotated counterclockwise the clutch parts move to their engaged position. The manner of controlling4 the movement of the aforesaid clutch parts will-be described in detail presently.

The shaft S1 to which the belt pulley 6| is journaled, extends into the gear case and is there.

in Figures 2 and 4, is xedly secured in a similar i manner to a pin 86 which is received in a suitable eccentrically located bearing provided in a. segmental gear 81, journaled for pivotal movement on a pin 88 which is secured to the base 62 of the gear case by means of the nut 90.

The segmental gear 81 meshes with a pinion 9| which is fixed on the agitator shaft 92. The lower end of this shaft is received in a bearing 93 provided in the base 62 of the gear case. An upper bearing 94 carried by the gear case cover 63 is provided for the reception of the portion of the shaft 92 located just above the pinion 9|. The bearing 94 for convenience may be in the form of a die casting which is fastened by means of circumferentlally spaced bolts 95 to the gear case cover 63. A second group of circumferentially spaced bolts 96 are provided for fixedly securing the portion of the gear case adjacent to the bearing 94 to the frusta-conical member l of the casing supporting base.

The upper end of the bearing member 94 has xedly secured to it at this point a tubular ex tension 91 having atted sides 98 formed on its inner upper surface. The sides 98 co-act with surfaces of complementary form on an internally threaded cup-shaped member |00 in which if. threadably received a member |0|. The men-i` bers 00 andA |0| serve` as adjustable retainer-1. for packing material |02 by means offwhich leak-` age about the agitator shaft 92 at". the place where it enters the'washer tub is prevented. The members 91 and |00 are slidably and non-rotatably fitted with respect to each other to compensate for manufacturing irregularities, to avoid the use of a rigid connection at this point and to hold the part |00 from turning and thus to facilitate the assembly of the shaft seal.

The cups 00 and 0| are xedly secured in place in a central bottom opening of the washei tub by means of a nut |03 which engages with the exposed threaded portion of the member |0I and serves to draw theflanged part |04 of. the member |00 and a gasket |05 carried by this part against the bottom. of the washer tub in leakproof relation. The upper end of the shaft 92 is formed with a prlsmatic head |06 which is received in a socket of complementary form formed in the underside of the agitator 40. A long bolt |01, threadably received in the upper end of the f agitator shaft, is provided for removably securing the agitator 30 in place on its shaft.

The extractor driving shaft 50 is mounted for rotation in a tube H08 h-aving a bearing 409 at its upper end. The tube |08 is liiexibly mounted in a pair of identical sleeves |60, formed from a soft yielding elastic material as for example rubber, the purpose of which is to permit the shaft 50 and its bearin'g E08 to have a slight amount of lateral' and angular movement in order to reduce the transmission of the vibrations of the extractor basket to the frame of the machine. The flexible mounting just described also permits the extractor basket to gyrate a slight amount and. this also serves to reduce the vibration of the machine as a whole.

The rubber sleeves H are enclosed Within and carried by a pair of apertured cup-like members which are also identical in form. The lower end of the'tube |08 has a ange H2 located below a washer H3 which carries a cupped washer llt in contact with the bottom of the lower rubber sleeve H0. The top of the upper of these sleeves is engaged by a flanged washer 5 and all of the aforesaid extractor shaft bearing parts are held in assembled relation by means of a nut H6 and its lock nut i il which are threaded to the upper end of the tube |08.

'I'he bushing or bearing member |09 is preferably formed from a material which does not require oiling as for example a mixture of oil impregnated graphite and bronze. The upper edge of the bushing |03 is contacted by a cupshaped frictional sealing ring |20 pressed thereagainst by means of a spring H26. The sealing ring is secured against rotational movement with respect to the shaft 50 by means of a collar E22 which is fastenedto the shaft by means of a set screw |23. The sealing ring E20 and the collar |22 have slidable intertting provisions whereby the ring can move longitudinally of the shaft while at the same time it is constrained to ro tate with this sh-aft.

An anti-friction thrust bearing 2d is secured to .the lower end of the extractor shaft 50. The cup of this bearing is secured to the lower end of the tube |08 by means of an apertured nut |25. The inner part |26 of a conical friction clutch is splined and slidably fitted to the lower end of the shaft 50. The clutch member l26 is urged to engaged position with its cooperating clutch member |21 by means of a spring |20 which abuts at one end against the clutch member |26 and at its other end it abuts against a washer |30 in contact with the inner race or cone of the bearing |24.

The extractor belt pulley 60 forms the outer part of the clutch member |21. This combined pulley and clutch member has a depending sleeve |3| journaled on an anti-friction bushing |32 which is interposed between the portion i3| of the combined clutch and pulley member and a similarly formed depending sleeve |33 of the inner clutch member |26. The aforesaid clutch parts are held in their assembled relation on the shaft 50 by means of a plate |36 which is secured to the lowermost end of this shaft by means of a screw |35.

An arm |36 is secured by means of bolts or rivets |31 to the conically depressed part i0 of the casing supporting base member 3. The lower end of the arm |36 carries a pin |38 which pivotally supports a clutch operating arm |40. The upper end of the arm |40 is formed with a curved a flange M2 formed on the upper end of the clutch member |26. The direction of rotation of the clutch member |26 is such that when the contacting face Mil of the clutch controlling .member M0 is moved to its clutch disengaging position the friction on the face lill tends to move the member |00 in the same direction and in this manner a part of the energy of the moving clutch parts is utilized in disengaging the clutch.

An impeller |63 is fixed to rotate with the pump driving pulley 53 to effect the emptying of the washer and extractor tubs and to return soapy water from the extractor tub to the washer tub. 'Ihe impeller of the pump is mounted for rotation in a pump case HM. The central part of the impeller is presented to the discharge outlet opening of a pair of ducts formed by a branched fitting |65 and this opening constitutes the inlet of the pump. The inlet opening of one of the ducts of this tting is in the form of a valve seat M6 which cooperates with a valve member |61 located on an arm |66. The arm |48 is fixed to an operating shaft |50 which is journaled in a second hollow fitting |5| which latter tting provides a duct from the pump inlet to a drain opening provided in the bottom of the washer tub.

The upper end of the fitting I5| is internally threaded for reception of an externally threaded apertured nut or screen member |52 by means of which the pump is secured in position in the drain opening of the bottom of the Washer tub. The shaft |50, provided for the operation of the pump valve, has affixed to its outer end an operating arm E53 by means of which the valve is shifted from its open to closed position and vice versa. l

The duct formed by the other branch of the fitting |65 is connected by means of a hose or conduit |56 directly to a drain opening in the bottom of the extractor tub. This connection is free and open as it is preferred in the operation of a machine of this type to keep the extractor tub free of water at all times. The pump case M4 has a tangential discharge outlet |55 which is connected to the drain hose 36, the discharge end of which carries the gooseneck 35.

The aforesaid operating elements of the washer, namely: the washer and extractor mechanisms and the pump mechanism are all driven by means ofthe single belt 51'which is engaged by the driving pulley 56 of the motor 55. -The motor is pivoted at |56 to a bracket |51 secured by means of bolts |58 to the lowermost side of the gear case base 62. A thumb screw |60 threaded in a member IBI, which is also carried by the gear case base, contacts with the casing of the motor to the side of its pivotal support which lies below the area defined by the belt 5l so that when the thumb screw |60 is forced against the side of the motor the belt is tightened and in this manner its adjustment may be readily eiected.

All of the controls of this machine, namely: the pump valve control, the washer mechanism clutch control and the extractor clutch control are assembled on one of the panels 52 which for convenience is called the control panel. 'Ihe aforesaid controls are of what may be called the push button type and they have operating members |62,` |63, |64 located closely adjacent to each other and carried by the control panel. The member |62 controls the operation of the agiface |4| which contacts with the under side of tator, the member |63 controls the draining of the wash tub; and the member |64 controls the operation of the extractor basket.

The aforesaid operating members are of substantially identical construction with respect `to the portion thereof carried by thecontrol panel and a description of one of these devices will suffice for all three. As is best shown in Figure 5 the extractor control button |64 is carried by an arm |65 which is rigid with and offset from a cylindrical member |66. 'I'he arm |65 projects through a slot |61 formed in the control panel 52. The cylinder |66 is slidably received in a tube |68 having a portion of its length slotted as at |10. The slot |10 registers with the slot |61 and it is provided for the accommodation of the arm |65.

Upper, and lower apertured brackets |1| and |12, fixedly secured to the panel 52 as for exe ample by welding, are provided for supporting the tube |68. A set screw |13 carried by the upper bracket .|1| is provided to secure the tube |68 in its adjusted position. A flexible wire |14 is brazed or otherwise secured to the lower end of the cylinder |66. This wire is slidably received in a flexible ytube |15. the upper end of which is secured by means of a set screw |16 in the lower end of the tube |68. i The other end of the flexible tube |15 is adjustably secured by ascrew |11 to a. ,part carried by the bracket |36 and the projecting end of the wire |14 is secured by a screw |18 to a part pivotally .carried by the upper end of the extractor clutch operating arm |40. From a consideration of the foregoing it will be apparent that when the'button |64 is moved downwardly the extractor control clutch parts are moved to their disengaged position as illustrated in Figures 6 and '1. The rotational movement of the rotating clutch parts assists in effecting their disengagement as previously mentioned. When the control button |64 is moved to its up per position the control arm |40 is shifted to the position shown in Figure 5 and the clutch parts then assume their engaged position as is shown in this figure.

In much the same manner the control button |63 is connected by means of a wire |80 to the operating arm |53 of the pump valve so that movement of the button |63 to its upper position shifts the valve |41 into contact with' its seat |46 and the pump then serves to pump water from the extractor tub 2 only and to expel it through the drain hose 36. When the button |63 is moved to its lower position the pump valve is opened andthe pump is then in connection with both the extractor and the washer tubs and the contents thereof are then emptied by way of the drain hose 36 to a drain or waste water receptacle (not shown).

In a similar manner the washer control button |62 is connected by a wire |8| and a screw |82 to the arm |83 of the threaded clutch operating member 13. When the washer conti-'ol button 62 is in its upper position the washer clutchy parts occupy the agitator driving position as is shown in Figures 10 and 11 and when the button |62 is'moved downwardly the washer mechanism clutch parts occupy the dotted line position shown in Figure 11. This latter position of the control button corresponds to lthe disengaged position of the clutch parts 64 and 65 at which time the agitator is stopped and inoperative.l

'Ihe movement of the clutch parts of the washer mechanism is .also utilized in facilitating the disengagement of the washer clutch parts. 'Ihe rotation of the pulley 6| and the associated clutch members 64 and 65 is in a clockwise di-` rection as viewed in Figure 11 so that when the clutch control members |83, 1| and 13 are rotated in a clockwise direction the frictional engagement of the parts 1| and 12 tends to assist in the clockwise turning of the members 1|, 13 and |83. The operation of the washer and extractor controls is thus facilitated by utilizing some of the energy of the driven parts of the machine in effecting the disengagement of the clutches of the aforesaid mechanisms.

In this connection it should also be noted that the clutch disengaging operations take place when the control wires are operated under compression and the movement of the control parts requiring exertion of the greater amount of force is always in a directionso that the control wires are under tension. The operation of the pump valve does not require the exertion of any great amount of force and hence no special means such as the above are provided to facilitate its manipulation.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a modified form of top plate construction. In this arrangement the top plate does not entirely surround the washer tub is which is slightly shorter than the extractor tub 2a. The washer tub is provided with a rolled-over upper edge |84. The top plate in this case comprises an apertured plate |85 having an opening |86 registering with the open top of the extractor basket. A cover |81 is pivotedat |88 to the member |85 which at its under side is formed with a flanged part |90 which engages with a gasket |9| carried on the upper edge of the extractor tub 2B.

The member |85 has an upturned edge |92 at three of its marginal edges and at its other edge it has a down-turned lip |93 located over the open top 'of the washer tub. Interposed between the adjacent portions of the washing and extracting tub there is fitted a, member |94, the opposite sides of which contact with and are of thevsame contour as the contacting tubs. The ends of the member |94 have provisions for re- 'celving bolts or rivets |95 and |96 by means of machine shown in Figs. 14 and l5 are similar to` A the panels used in connection with the casing construction shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A pair of spaced arms 202 project upwardly from the member |94 and at their upper ends i they are apertured for reception of bearing pins 203 which are in turn received in apertured lugs 204 carried by the underside of the member |85, by means of which the cover member |85 is pivoted on a horizontal axis to permit its being turned as indicated in the dotted line position shown in Figure 14 whereby the extractor basket may be removed from the extractor tub for cleaning and other purposes.

The foregoing forms of' washing machine con` struction permit marked saving in the way of weight and cost. By fabricating the supporting base of the machine in the manner disclosed it is possible to use a relatively light weight gauge of sheet steel for the base unit and at the same time by reason of the form of construction shown, the necessary rigidity can be obtained. This form of construction is also relatively inexpensive as compared with heavy castings and one-piece stampings.

The form of supporting. base shown also materially enhances the appearance of the machine and it' gives the eect of a much larger tub than is actually used. The top plate and the side panels used in connection with the form of machine shown in Figures 1, 2, and 16, also enhance the appearance of the machine and they achieve the eifect of an unbroken continuation of the washer and extractor tub surfaces which smoothly merges into the top working openings of such tubs. This form of casing has the added utility of being very easy to keep clean.

The driving mechanism is of generally simplified and inexpensive construction. The use of expensive worm reduction gears has been eliminated and a single belt is utilized in driving both the washer and extractor mechanism as well as the pump. This form of power transmission has the advantage of flexibility, low cost, and extreme quietness in operation and in addition to these advantages it permits greater manufacturing tolerances than can be used where the driving connection between the washing and extracting mechanism is effected by shaft means.

-The mounting for the extractor basket also exhibits the advantages of low cost and increased efficiency and extreme quietness in operation with a great reduction in vibration by reason of the flexible mounting provided for the extractor basket shaft and its bearings. This form of mounting is made possiblewithout greatly increased cost by reason of the belt drive used in connection with the driving of the extractor.

If a shaft drive were usedto drive the extractor,

the iiexible mounting of the extractor would probably necessitate the use of universal joints or exible drive shaft couplings.

The operation of the machine is also greatly facilitated by reason of the assembled relation of the controls and the manner in which they are manipulated. The operation of' such controls requires the exertion of but a light force on the part of the operator and the panels upon which they are mounted provides ample space for operating instructions.

The form of agitator used also contributes to improve the Washing action of the machine by reason of the positive scrubbing of the articles being washed and also by reason ofthe forced ow of washing fluid relative to and through the fabric of the articles being washed.

Furthermore it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown land described, and the particular procedure set forth are presented for purposes of explanation and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departure from this invention as described in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a laundry machine, a casing structure, operating mechanism beneath said casing structure, and a. built-up sheet-metal supporting structure for said casing structure and mechanism, said supporting structure comprising a generally horizontal sheet-metal base member, a separately formed sheet-metal skirt member ixedly attached at its upper end to said base member so as to amarte stien and reinforce the base member and angularly disposed supporting legs for said base member iixedly secured at their upper ends to said base member inwardly'of said skirt member and ixedly secured at apoint intermediate their height to the lower edge of said skirt to form an angular reinforcement for the supporting structure.

2. In a laundry machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a pair of tubs carried by said supporting structure in a side-by-side manner, said tubs having lower side wall portions of reduced diameter to provide a shoulder near the bottom of each oi' the tubs, a relatively soft yielding packing member interposed between said supporting structure and the shoulders of said tubs whereby the tubs are carried on said packing member by said supporting structure from a point adjacent their ,outer edges, means for securing said tubs to Said supporting structure, and a pair of shields in the form of vertically disposed plates in contact at their opposite vertical edges with the side walls of said tubs for providing a substantially continuous and unbroken side-wall surface with said tubs corresponding in plany outline to the plan outline of said support.

3. In a laundry machine, a pair of tubs, a base for supporting said tubs in a side-by-side manner, and wall members in the form of vertically disposed plates with a portion lying alongside of each of said tubs and cooperating with the side walls o said tubs so as to form a continuous and substantially unbroken peripheral surface therewith, said base having a tub-supporting, upright outer wall part which forms in eifect a continuation of said Wall members and the side walls of said tubs.

i. In a laundry machine, in combination. a supporting structure, a pair of cylindrical tubs carried side-by-side on said supporting structure, and an elongated horizontal top-plate carried above the upper edges of said tubs, the peripheral portion of said top-plate being Vdownwardly and outwardly rounded and engaging at its edge the top part of said tubs and having formed in its horizontal portion a pair of working openings, one for each of said tubs, the marginal outline of said top-plate conforming at its opposite ends to the outline of said tubs with such end parts connected toeach other'along a continuous and unbroken line, the intermediate portion of said top-plate providing a generally horizontal Wall over the space between the tubs.

5. In a laundry machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a pair of cylindrical tubs carried side-by-side on said supporting structure, means for securing said tubs to each other at their upper ends, an apertured top-plate at one end of. the machine .overlying one of said tubs, and means for attaching said top-plate solely to said means.

6. In a. laundry machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a pair of tubs carried sideby-side on said supporting structure, means between said tubs for securing them to each other at their upper ends, an apertured top-plate at one end of the machine attached solely to said n..ans and overlying one of said tubs, and a pivoted cover carried by said top-plate, the aperture of said ltop-plate registering with the top opening of said last named tub and having a.

the other of said'tubs.

7. In a laundry machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a pair of tubs carried sideby-side on said supporting structure, means for securing said tubsy to each other at their up'per ends, and an apertured top-plate overlying one of said tubs and pivotally attached to said tubsecuring means for movement about a horizontal axis, the aperture of. said top-plate permitting access to the top working opening of the tub which it overlies. l

8'. In a laundry machine, in combination, a supporting structure, a pair of tubs carried sideby-side on said supporting structure, means for securing said tubs to eachother at their upper ends, an apertured top-plate attached to said means and overlying one of said tubs, the attachment of said top-plate to said means being effected by means of a pivotal connection to permit the top-plate to be swung away from the tub which it normally overlies, and a pivoted cover carried by said top-plate, the aperture of said top-plate registering with the top opening of one of said tubs and having a downturned lip overlying a top edge portion of the other of said tubs.

9. In a laundry machine, the-combination with a tub having a shoulder extending around the tub near the bottom thereof., of a built-up supporting structure therefor comprising a horizontally disposed plate with an upturned edge which underlies said shoulder for supporting the tub, a separately formed skirt portion attached toA and depending from the upturned edge of. said plate and a separately formed oiset reinforcing member attached to said plate beneath the bottom of said tub, said plate having a portion opposite to said member which is offset in a direction away from said member.

10, In a laundry machine, the combination with a pair of tubs having' shoulders extending around the tubs neat the bottom thereof, of abuilt-up supporting structure therefor comprising a horizontally disposed plate with an upturned edge which underlies said shoulders for supporting the tubs, a separately 'formed skirt portion attached to and depending from the upturned edge of said plate and separately formed offset reinforcing members attached to said plate beneath the bottom of each of said tubs, said plate having a portion opposite to one of said members which is offset in a direction away from such member.

1l. In a machine of the type disclosed, a casing structure comprising a pair of cylindrical tubs located side-by-side, a support therefor, vertically disposed panel means extending from the sidewall of one tub to the sidewall of the other adjacent to the contiguous portions of the tubs ,to define therewith a three-sided space or endefine therewith a three-sided space or enclosure, mechanism associated with the machine carried by the rear'side of said panel means insuch space, and operating members at the front side of said panel means operatively connected with said mechanism.

13. In a machine of the type disclosed, a casing structure comprising a pair of cylindrical tubs located side-by-side, a support therefor, vertically disposed panel means extending from the sidewall of one tub to the sidewall of the other adjacent to the contiguous portions of the tubs to dene therewith a three-sided space or enclosure, means for securing said panel means in place in a readily displaceable manner, mechanism associated with the machine carried by the rear side of said panel means in such space, and operating members at the front side of said panel means operatively connected with said mechanism.

14. A washing machine casing structure com-` prising, a pair of generally cylindrical tubs mounted one alongside of the other, a supporting structure for said tubs, a horizontally disposed member at the top of said tubs having portions disposed wall means extending below the afore-4 said portions of. said top member alongside of 'said tubs at each side of the machine and defining with the adjacent sides of the tubs a generally triangular space or enclosure at the opposite sides of the machine.

15. In a machine of the type disclosed, a pair of generally cylindrical tubs located side-byside, support means for said tubs, vertically disposed wall means adjacent to the contiguous portions of said tubs at one side of the machine and defining with the sides of the tubs a space or enclosure, control mechanism for the machine located in such space or enclosure behind said wall means, one or more operating members for said control mechanism at the front side of. said wall means in convenient location for manipulation by the operator of the machine, and means traversing said wall means for connecting said operating member or members to said control mechanism. I 16.` A laundry machinecomprising, a pair of generally cylindrical tubs located one alongside of the other, support means for said tubs, operating mechanism for the machine, vertically disposed wall means adjacent to the contiguous portions( of said tubs at one side of the machine and defining with the sides of the tubs a space or enclosure, one or more` manually operable control members for said mechanism at the front side of said wall means in convenient location for manipulation by the operator of the machine, operative connections between said control members and said mechanism including structure located in said space or enclosure and concealed behind said wall means.

JAMES B. ESRBY. 

